Likely breast cancer after ultrasound

[spartanrunnergirl]

Hi all after routine mammogram I was referred for an ultrasound, which I had today and the radiologist said it's likely a cancer, thus did a few core biopsies. I did not know that cancer could be detected at ultrasound stage but she was pretty certain it was cancer and said the biopsies were to see what they were dealing with. Has anyone else had this? Thank you

Yay, @quietmaelstrom, that's brilliant news- so happy for you.

@chococakey I'm sorry it wasn't the news you were hoping for re the nodes, but good news with the margins! I had cancer in 31 out of 35 nodes (😱), but they still considered my chemotherapy preventative as they had removed the cancer (full node clearance) and so chemo was just to mop up anything microscopic that might be floating around. I would definitely call the BCN just to get a bit more info, it's hard to take in at the appointments isn't it.

I was diagnosed roughly this time last year, and I've had my surgery, egg retrieval, chemo, radio and everything else, back at work and I'm finally looking forward after a terrible year. Hopefully you will be there soon, too. I do have a few things I was thinking of donating that I used during chemo, like head coverings and a picc line cover of you have one. You'd be welcome to them if you wanted them, I can post them to you. Hope you manage to have a nice weekend and take your mind off it xx

Hi @chococakey sorry you’ve had that news today. I was in a similar position and had 3 of 3 sentinel nodes with disease. I’ve since had 6 months of chemo and then my lymph nodes removed, 10 of them, and they all came back clear so fingers crossed it will be the same for you too.

I was extremely scared of having chemo and while it was no walk in the park it wasn’t as bad as I’d feared. I’ve just finished radiotherapy prior to Christmas, I’m on tamoxifen and will be starting abemaciclib, a targeted therapy, next week. If you, or anyone, want to private message me I’m happy to have a chat with you about my experience. I think I’m a bit ahead of you in the process and I’m happy to share anything that I’ve learned that could help you.

sending love, strength and positivity to you all xx

Morning everyone, thank you for all taking the time to reply to me. I had a terrible night sleep. Really shaken up and panicking about my treatment. Feel like I need to get my head around all this and write down questions and call my BCN on Monday. You struggle to take it in and think of questions when you're sitting there with the consultant.

I need to level my head and look at the positives - and you lovely ladies have helped me with that - the positives are clear margins and also that although it was in 1 node that's been removed and the fact my consultant said it's unlikely to be in any other nodes which is why he said no more surgery just radio to the underarm and breast along with the chemo and oestrogen blocker tablets.
I also struggle with the waiting. I waited a month post op for that news yesterday and now I've got to wait again to see oncology to start more treatment.

All of this with me isn't helped by the fact that in July I lost my mum to ovarian/womb cancer, I saw her go through surgery and chemo and she died regardless. I know it's a different cancer and hers was very aggressive but it's still very raw for me since losing my mum and now having my own diagnosis I can't help but think of the worst. Especially when I have a 7yo child. But I need to remind myself this isn't the same as my mum and I have to be strong to get through this. I have to get through this. Hard not having my mum around to chat to either.

Positive vibes needed. I guess I want someone to tell me it'll be alright in the end and positive stories from ladies like yourself really help me take a breath so thank you.
Sorry this turned into a really long message but it helps to write it all down!
Have a good weekend ladies xx

@quietmaelstrom That's great news you've now got clear margins so can move onto the next step, thanks for the virtual hug and well wishes x

@PemberleynotWemberley I did ask if having a positive node meant more surgery to remove the others but the consultant said no, he said they would give me radiotherapy to the breast and underarm along with chemo and hormone blockers and that further surgery wouldn't be needed. But that's something I feel confused about and also thought I would need further surgery but apparently not. Thank you for the hand hold and hug x

@dancingwhilstfacingthemusic Good luck with your scan this weekend. I think I'll use the weekend to try and process some of this and get my questions ready to call the BCN on Monday. Thanks for the well wishes x

@spartanrunnergirl Hope you're doing ok. Your story really inspired me and I so hoped I was following the same path as you but looks like I've got an extra hurdle to jump on the way with the chemo. That's how I think I need to look at it. I've got to stay positive but right now I'm in the 'oh crap' stage of it all. Thank you for the well wishes x

@TheFormidableMrsC Thank you for your positive message and well wishes. I think I just heard it was found in the node and kind of shut down when the consultant was talking. But I need to frame it like that - it is only 1 node, it's been cut out and the margins were clear. That is positive news and I need to cling onto that to stay positive throughout this. Also when you hear you need chemo you panic so always nice to hear of someone else's experiences and have someone to chat to so thank you x

@SunnyValemin Wow 31 nodes, that makes my 1 seem very small in comparison. Your story also feels me with some more positive energy. Especially as you are a year ahead of me. I guess I have to accept I'm in for a rough ride but hopefully by this time next year things will be looking brighter. Really appreciate your wishes and your story thank you. I also appreciate the offer re the head coverings etc, let me get back to you once I know exactly what I'll be facing once I've seen oncology x

@Pixilicious1 Thank you for sharing your story and well wishes. My consultant told me they wouldn't remove any more of my nodes as only 1 was positive for cancer cells so they would just do radiotherapy to the under arm along with the breast with chemo and hormone blocker tablets. I thought more surgery might be necessary but he says no. I wonder why that is. Keep us posted with your next steps of treatment x

Morning @chococakey Sorry you had a terrible sleep. I get that so much is whirling round your head. It's a good idea to sit and write down your list of questions and ask for a meet with your BCN. They can then go through it bit by bit. I get the fear when you have young kids. My son was also only 8, he's AuDHD and I'm a lone parent so he's only got me. That was very frightening. I had no plans to tell him until I found out I'd need chemo and I thought my appearance would change drastically and I had to prepare him. As it happens, it didn't and I was ok throughout.

Macmillan have lots of resources for explaining things and supporting children, so do ask. I'm so sorry about your Mum. I'm sure you've told your consultant and BCN so they will understand your fears. I also lost my mum to a very different cancer but it does play on your mind. I really empathise with your situation.

Try and do some positive things, get a walk in, find a film to watch this evening if you're staying in, get some nice snacks etc. It's important that you do self care. Yes things are going to take a bit longer but it's for the greater good and that's what you have to focus on x

@chococakey sorry if my offer was a bit soon, I know it takes a bit of time to get your head round things. I was quite lucky in a sense as I knew from the start of need chemo, so no shocks. I think you do right, take the weekend to absorb it then ask for more information. I was given details of the chemo I'd get prior to meeting oncology, which was helpful as when I met the oncologist I felt better prepared.

I'm so sorry to hear about your mum. I lost my dad last year, not to cancer, but it's so difficult when you have this going on as well.

Once you have seen your oncologist or spoken to the BCN, if you want to ask me any questions about chemo, the practicalities of it, the side effects etc then please do. I'm always happy to share if it helps someone a bit 😊 and I'm sure the other amazing ladies on this thread will do the same.

@chococakey this is all such a lot to take in, especially when you are raw from losing your dear Mum. You will get used to each piece of information and start to process everything .I hope the next few days are gentle for you.

Hello @chococakey. Sorry you've had a rubbish sleep. Hope you can have an easy weekend with DH and your son and have a bit of time to regroup. Taking the time to write down your questions is a great idea. Please have some nice treats as well.

So glad lots of people here can comment on the chemo. Re the lymph node surgery/radiotherapy, when I was trying to read about things back at the start (didn't do very much, just breastcancernow website) I'm fairly sure I read that they'd found that the outcomes were similar for surgery and radiotherapy but there was less risk of later lymphoedema with radiotherapy, so they now tend to go for that. Your breast care nurse will be the best person to ask, but the website may answer some of the questions if you feel like looking.

Hope you manage to have some rest.

@Fillybuster hope all went well for you yesterday

@dancingwhilstfacingthemusic best wishes for tomorrow's scan

Having confided in my 2 close friends today with yesterdays results plus telling someone in my family, along with you guys, everyone has firstly said the same thing - which is that it's really good I got clear margins and yes it's crap I've got to have chemo because of a node but it's 1 node and it's been cut out. No more surgery.

I think chatting to some people including you guys online have made me see that whilst the chemo is an extra bump in the road of this journey, I need to also see the positive news I got yesterday as well. It's making me feel a little better. So thank you everyone. I have to pull my chin up, get ready to strap myself in for the bumpy ride and try to not to overthink it all.

Hope everyone is well and having a good Saturday x

@chococakey glad you’ve “reached out” as they say. So bloody unfair that any of us are going through this. Just to mention that one of the best suggestions I took up pre chemo was to get my eyebrows microbladed. I’ve lost most of my brow hair now but can’t tell due to the microblading. It’s helped my mental health.

I’ve spent the afternoon cutting out the dead wood in a climbing rose. On one side now, I’ve removed all dead and diseased wood and can see the light through the green branches. Great to have the energy to do something and quite the metaphor, given the task.

@dancingwhilstfacingthemusic Good idea with microblading, I might have to look into that. I do want to try and keep things as 'normal' as possible mainly for my young son.

Glad you managed to get out to the garden to do some jobs. It certainly is a metaphor x

@Fillybuster oh I hope you're okay. I found the guide wire insertion more painful than the actual surgery 🥲

This is fantastic news 💕

@chococakey I'm sorry to hear your news. I hope you are feeling more positive today.

Sorry for the multiple messages guys I'm just trying to catch up on everybodys news x

Oh @quietmaelstrom I missed this update that is great! Onward.. really pleased for you x

@chococakey Glad to see you feeling more positive. Also don't hide it, you need support around you. It's important. My chemo experience left me with 80% of my hair because I used a cooling cap. It's not pleasant particularly, but once you're frozen it's fine. It's really worth giving it a go. I had some thinning of eyebrows but didn't lose my lashes until a couple of weeks after I finished. They came back very quickly with serum. Psychologically it made a huge difference to my overall well-being to keep my hair. Do ask about it and availability. This is a blip, but you will get through it

@chococakey gosh, I imagine that was all a lot to deal with, especially after you’ve been left waiting for quite a while to get the results. I’m not surprised it felt totally overwhelming. I’m glad you’re feeling a bit better now you’ve had time to process things and take on board the support on here, as well as talk through with RL friends too. One step at a time, at every stage. Rooting for you 💐

@quietmaelstrom thats brilliant news - I’m so pleased for you 💜

Thanks for all the support and reassurance. My lumpectomy was straightforward and I haven’t been too uncomfortable since I got home on Friday night, mainly just a bit groggy from the GA. As @catin8oots said, I think the wire insertion might have been worse than the operation, in terms of discomfort. The surgeon didn’t come to see me after the op, but the nurse told me everything went well. I guess I’ll find out more when I see her next week 🤞

Glad all went well @Fillybuster - glad you're not too uncomfortable. Hopw you can enjoy curling up with some treats for a few days.

Hope the scan was straightforward today @dancingwhilstfacingthemusic and the result is good 😊

Thanks. Yes, seemed straightforward and from what the radiographer said no change from the first scan. Fingers crossed. Consultant update over the phone tomorrow ahead of this week’s blood tests and chemo.

It’s been a good week off - I’ve remembered who I was and have had the energy to bake, do some gardening and go out for walks.

I was avoiding this thread tbh.
But hello everyone.

I'm not sure why I'm crashing emotionally today.

Lost my sister to BC a few years ago.
I was diagnosed through my first routine mammogram, two spots in the middle of a breast. Also diagnosed unofficially in ultrasound.
Confirmed stage 1. I had wires, and a third of the breast removed on December 30th, and rebuilt with tissue from my side.
Genius surgeon.

This week confirmed clear margins (yay), no lymph node fuckery. Waiting for appointments for radiotherapy.

Is anyone using alternative therapies alongside recommended medication?
My sister refused always, but I'm using Dragon's Blood and Turkey Tail. The nurses were quite encouraging of this, which surprised me.
I'm also back to ice baths. A bit sore, but feels good afterwards.

And does anyone have a recommendation for soft bras?
I'm only a C, but sports bras are generally uncomfortable after a few hours.
I bought a few from Stripe and Stare, but the obvious nipples are somewhat unprofessional.......

Hi @ncduetooutingsituation welcome to our shitty club full of awesome women!

Glad to hear you've had some good outcomes from your surgery and lymph nodes, but it is a real trial to go through all of this, and must've been devastating after losing your sister to BC.

I've never once thought about alternative therapies to support any part of the process, I have not heard of the ones you mention, I'll read about them.

Post op I settled on some very basic cheap crop tops from Tesco as the best soft bra to wear. I wore them in bed to keep me secure, and in the daytime too. I still wear one underneath my sports bra when I go running because it's just really comfortable and soft against my skin.

Good to hear you're going straight to radiotherapy, soft bras were useful to me then as well as my skin got a bit sore/sensitive.

Welcome, @ncduetooutingsituation. It sounds like you have been through a lot recently, and getting a BC diagnosis after losing your sister must have been especially frightening. Picking it up on your first mammogram and getting it dealt with is excellent news though.
Have you been referred for genetic testing? If there is a genetic link it's worth knowing because you can make informed choices about future preventative treatment.
I can't shed any light on alternative therapies I'm afraid- you are probably best seeking advice from the BC team. We generally urge people not to Google, it can't really help you and might give you more worries than you need.
It might also be worth asking BC nurses for soft bra recommendations- they will surely know what is out there without too much trial and error.

I can speak a bit about Turkey Tail mushrooms. They are used as part of standard cancer care in Japan. They have amazing anti cancer properties. I have a friend who was a stage 3 bowel cancer patient who used this and Birch Polypor after being given a pretty poor prognosis. He did a lot of research and used them alongside standard treatment. He is clear of cancer. He was due a huge operation but the cancer had gone much to the shock of his medical team. He's now "a person of interest" to cancer researchers.

Absolutely no harm in speaking to your BCN about it. Turkey tail is easily found in most woodlands and my friend picks and dries them himself. You can buy supplements. I am about to speak to my BCN about it and I'll report back.

Hello @ncduetooutingsituation it’s no surprise you’re on an emotional rollercoaster. You’ve been through it too much. Glad you’ve found this supportive thread.

it’s great you’ve had good surgery outcomes. Do look at applying for a “little lifts “ box for radiotherapy. It’ll have a few things in there to give you a boost.

I got my soft bra from bravissimo, with a vat reduction as it’s a medical device 🙄. I was issued with an “ABC 110” soft bra after surgery https://woman-zone.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=Post+surgery+bra. Hopefully this link will
show you the sort of thing. Your breast nurse may help or may be able to get you an appointment with a “bra lady” if there is one attached to your team. I needed a partial breast prosthesis after my surgery and the bra lady sorted mine along with another bra (we joke that I might be eligible for the Paralympics now).
I echo talking to your nurse about supplements. I have to watch what I’m taking as I’m on chemo and the aim is to kill certain new cells rather than feeding them.

Go easy on yourself.